Broadcast seeder.



S. B. HART.

BROADCAST SBEDER.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.25,1911.

Patented May 14, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

-S. B. HART.

BROADCAST SBEDER.

APPLICATION FILED 111111.25, 1011.

Patented May 14, 1912.

2 8HEBTBSHEBT 2.

W/fneaae s.

COLUMBIA PLANOOIAPN 50-. WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNITED srar ns STACY 1B. HART, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

BROADCAST SEEDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14, 1912.

Application filed March 25, 1911. Serial No. 616,933.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STACY B. HART, a citizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Broadcast Seeders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to seeders.

More particularly my invention relates to a special tool or implement adapted to be utilized for seeding, designed for sowing seed broadcast.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a vehicle or cart with seeder appliances attached; Fig. 2 is a top view of the same as Fig. 1, having a portion of the bottom of the vehicle broken away; Fig. 3 is a detail view of fragmentary frame parts of the vehicle and driving connections adapted to operate the seeder; Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the relation of a fan, a hopper and a stirrer; Fig. 5 is a sideelevation of my device with portions broken away to show interior arrangement of parts; Fig. 6 is an end view of the grass seeder with portions broken away to show interior arrangement of parts. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the same with a portion broken away showing the interior structure; Fig. 8 is an end view of the fluted roller; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the fluted roller; Fig. 10 is an edge view of a cover for the hopper; Fig. 11 is also an edge View of the same cover shown' in Fig. 10 in another position; and Fig. 12 is a top view of the same as shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

In the drawings, A refers generally to the vehicle body which may be formed in general rectangular shape but with the bottom portion thereof inclined to a central discharge point at substantially the center of the vehicle body. The vehicle body is adapted to be mounted upon a pair of wheels which may be done in any suitable manner. The opening in the bottom of the receptacle communicates with a conveyer tube. I have indicated the inclined portions respectively of the bottom of the vehicle receptacle as B, B, B and B The incline or pitch of said bottom portions may be at any angle desired.

C is a conveyer tube communicating with the opening in the bottom of the vehicle body and extends rearwardly approximately to the rear end of the vehicle. The forward end of the tube C is provided with hopper D formed to meet the edges of the opening in the bottom of the vehicle body.

A slide valve E is provided, adapted to be moved backwardly and forwardly over the opening from the hopper into the conveyer tube and for the purpose of controlling the flow into said tube. Valve E may be shaped to conform with the shape of the tube, adapted to be movable from the rear portion of the vehicle by means of rod e pivotally connecting with circular casting c which extends over the top portion of the conveyer tube and downwardly on the sides thereof. The free end of said rod is adapted to be supported in the bracket 0 at the rear end of the receptacle in a slidable relation and may be set in any desired position by means of the set screw a and may be provided with a hand hold to facilitate in the handling of the same.

F is an auger shaft journaled at its forward end in the front wall of the conveyer tube C and its rear end is supported in the grass seed feeder housing H, as best shownin Fig. 7. The auger I is fixed upon said shaft F and is constructed or formed so that there is a constantly increasing carrying space between the running spiral disks, accommodating a constantly increasing capacity of the auger from front to rear, there by reducing friction, preventing choking and ultimately bringing the body of grain closer to the bottom of the conveyer housing so that its discharge may be more readily controlled to deposit within a reasonably small opening in a receiving hopper.

K is a hopper located at the rear end of conveyer tube C and is adapted to receive the discharge of grain therefrom. The hoppeer is provided with a depending sleeve portion L, forming a bearing supported about stud shaft M, said stud shaft being itself supported from below in connection with a fan which will hereinafter be more fully explained.

0 refers generally to a grass seed hopper that is supported at the rear end of the vehicle and is adapted to discharge seed into the force feed housing I-I, said housing being provided with the hopper 71- into which the lower end of hopper O is adapted to be seated.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, in which the force feed housing is best shown, 71? refers to a slot in the wall thereof through which seed is adapted to be discharged. Q, is a fluted roller fixed upon auger shaft F by means of pin f being seated in a slot in said roller of substantially the same dimensions as pin f (see Fig. 8). The shaft F when turned while seed is being discharged into the force feed housing, will, by means of the flutes or corrugations, carry graduated quantities of grain into position to be discharged through slot if. h? is a slide valve supported in the wall of housing H and is adapted to slide back and forth in the opening from hopper it into housing H for the purpose of regulating the quantity of seed to be delivered to fluted roller Q. Said slot may be marked with a suitable graduated scale to better indicate the position of the valve in desired adjustment. For the purpose of fixing the slide in any desired position, I have provided a thumb screw 72, adapted to be carried in a threaded opening in lug 72, and adapted to be screwed into bearing contact with the edge of slide valve 72,

P is a cover for hopper K adapted to be seated about the top edge of said hopper and flanged to overlie the edge of hopper K so as to be maintained in proper position and at the same time to permit hopper K to turn with relation thereto. The cover is provided with an opening P therein, which registers with the outer end of conveyer tube C and has upwardly extending flanges a V at the sides of the opening, adapted to approach close to the pitch of the conveyer tube C, and an end flange a is formed in arc shape adapted to form a seat for the rear end of said conveyer tube, and as the conveyer tube is designed to be held in place in connection with the vehicle body, the tube by being seated in flange a will pre vent cover P from turning. a is also an opening in the top of cover P and is positioned just below the slot h in force feed housing H.

a is a flanged hopper formed and shaped to conform to the outside wall of the force feed conveyer housing.

R is an arm pivoted to lug r on the hopper K and the other end is pivoted to angle lever S, which said lever is fixed to rod S (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1) which extends upwardly to the top of receptacle A supported in connection with plate S and is provided with a hand lever S fixed thereon. Plate S is adapted to be expanded to some width and may be marked in a manner to indicate positions of adjustment of hand lever S. By moving hand lever S the hopper K may be turned for the purpose of changing the position of opening K in the bottom of said hopper with relation to the opening P in cover P. By shifting the hopper K, I am able to control the distribution of seed from a fan located relatively to said opening K to accommodate the condition of the wind and the various conditions that arise in connection with broadcast seeding.

M is a plate supported upon the outer end of, frame pieces M, which said frame pieces are connected at their forward ends with the vehicle body and the rear ends thereof also with the vehicle body by means of bracket M M is a spindle which may be integrally connected with plate l T is a fan, the hub portion thereof being supported loosely upon spindle M and U is a sprocket wheel fixed upon the lower part of the sleeve portion of fan T. The stud shaft M is fixed in connection with the sleeve portion of fan T so that as the fan is revolved the stud shaft will likewise be revolved for the purpose of turning bar V supported therein. The fan T comprises a plurality of wing portions which are adapted to be provided with the ordinary horizontally disposed blades and the upwardly extending flanges F. I have provided in addition to said upwardly turned flange, the inwardly turned flange t which forms a channel adapted to direct and control the discharge of grain under the centrifugal force attending its discharge.

In the use of my device, it is designed that oats, wheat or other small grain may alone be distributed, or if desired, grass seed may be sown therewith. If grass seed is to be sown in conjunction with grain, it is readily supplied from the seed hopper, and the flow thereof is controlled to be discharged into hopper K.

V is a bar carried through a slot in stud shaft M and fixed in position therein by also serve to prevent any accumulation within the hopper that might serve to choke it up and to mix the grass seed with the grain discharged into the hopper from conveyer tube C, thereby attaining a uniform distribution of the grass seed with the grain.

The auger, fan and distributer arms are adapted to be driven from axle W, upon which there is normally loosely supported a cog wheel X, which meshes with cog wheel Y which is supported upon the stud shaft X which said stud shaft is suitably supported in the framework of the vehicle. Upon the upper end of said stud shaft is provided the sprocket wheel X which connects with the sprocket wheel X (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3) on a stud shaft X suitably supported in the framework of the vehicle. Upon stud shaft K is supported the sprocket wheel X which connects by means of sprocket chain X with sprocket Wheel II on sleeve of fan T. This connection provides for the driving of the fan and the radial arms V in hopper K. ()n the upper end of stud shaft X there is provided the miter gear X which, as shown in Fig. 5, meshes with miter gear X on the end of auger shaft F. This establishes a connection for driving the auger and the force feed fluted roller Q.

In practice it is necessary to provide means for disconnecting the driven parts of the device from the axle, and it is my purpose to provide a clutch as K (see Fig. 3) adapted for engagement with a clutch part on the hub of gear wheel X. In practice, a suitable controlling means will be provided for shifting the clutch into and out of engagement, but as this constitutes no part of my invention I have not illustrated it in detail.

The object of my invention is to provide an individual implement for seeding purposes adapted to meet all requirements. In carrying out my purpose, I provide a carrying receptacle of moderate capacity and mount it preferably upon a pair of wheels adapting it generally for light draft and accommodating it for easy turning at the ends of the field. I also make my connections of such a character as to be driven easily.

In operation, the vehicle body is loaded with grain and if grass, clover or other seed is to be sown in conjunction with the grain, the seed hopper is likewise charged with seed. Normally, the slide E is closed over the inlet into conveyer tube C. WVhen the implement is ready for the seeding operation, valve E is opened and if grass seed is to be sown, likewise valve h is opened, each at the desired distance to accommodate the particular quantities of grain or seed that is to be sown per acre. The movement of the vehicle will cause auger F, fan T and distributing arms to be turned. The relative progressive expansion of the auger blade increasing from the inlet end of the conveyer tube to its outer end, effects a limitation of the amount of grain that may be discharged into the receiving end of the conveyer tube and gradually as the grain is forced rearwardly toward hopper K, the carrying capacity of the auger will be increased, thereby preventing binding or clogging of the grain in the auger and by the gradual disposing of the volume at and toward the bottom portion of the auger will render its movement much easier in the conveyer tube, and when finally the grain reaches the outer end of the tube, will discharge more reasonably into the opening into hopper K. Grain discharged into hopper K, and the latter having been adjusted to accommodate the wind and other conditions of seeding, the distributing arms will scatter the stream first to prevent clogging in the hopper, and second to cause a uniform precipitation of the grain from hopper K through the entire open area of the discharge outlet K Such discharge of grain from the hopper is caught by the radial arms of fan T, and centrifugally discharged in the usual manner attending the use of fan seeders except that inturned flanges t serve a general purpose in distributing the seed, hereinbefore specifically indicated. If grass seed is to be sown, the discharge through the force feed and into hopper K is controlled by valve h and the seed is mixed with the grain in hopper K by means of distributing arms.

WVhat I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, in combination with a conveyor and a distributing fan, of means interposed therebetween to receive, to mix and to scatter the grain to cause it to fall within the field of movement of the fan in scattered relation, comprising a substantially confined chamber having an inlet and outlet, and an agitator therein.

2. In a device of the class described, in combination with a grain feeding conveyer, a grass feed and a distributing fan, of means interposed therebctween to receive, to mix and to scatter the grain and grass seed to cause them to fall within the field of movement of the fan in scattered relation, comprising a substantially confined chamber having an inlet and outlet, and an agitator therein.

3. In a device of the class described, in combination, a conveyer, a distributing fan, a stirring chamber interposed between the conveyer and the fan provided with an in let from the conveyer and an outlet to the fan, and a stirrer within the stirring chamher.

1. In a device of the class described, in combination, a containing receptacle for grain suitably mounted for transportation, a conveyer adapted to receive the discharge of grain by gravity from the receptacle and to discharge it at a point approximately at the rear thereof, a grass seed hopper and a force feed therefor, a hopper provided with inlet openings to receive the discharge from the conveyer and the force feed from the grass seed hopper and a discharge out let therefron'i, rotatable distributing means within the hopper, a fan disposed below the hopper and adapted to deflect the discharge of grain therefrom and suitable means for driving the conveyor, the fan and the distributing arms sinmltaneously.

5. In a device of the class described, in combination, a containing receptacle for grain suitably mounted for transportation, a conveyer adapted to receive"the discharge of grain by gravity from the receptacle and to discharge it at a point approximately at the rear thereof, a slide valve for controlling the flow of grain-from the receptacle into the conveyer, a grass seed hopper, a force feed connected therewith, means for controlling the discharge of grain from the grass seed hopper into the force feed, a hopper adapted to receive the discharge of grain from the force feed of the grass seed hopper and from the conveyer provided with a discharge opening therein, a stud shaft, rotatable distributing means on said shaft within said hopper, a fan on said shaft disposed below the hopper and suitable means for driving the conveyer, the fan and the distributing arms simultaneously.

6. In a device of the class described, in combination, a containing receptacle for grain, the bottom thereof formed of walls inclined to a centering discharge opening therein, a conveyer adapted to receive the discharge of grain by gravity from the receptacle and to discharge it at a point approximately at the rear thereof, a slide valve for controlling the flow of grain from the receptacle into the conveyer, means for shifting the valve, a shifting hopper adapted to receive the discharge of grain from the conveyer provided with a discharge opening therein disposed immediately below the outer end of the conveyer, means for shifting the hopper to change the position of the discharge opening therein relative to the discharge end of the conveyer, rotatable distributing arms within the hopper, a fan disposed below the hopper, and suitable means for driving the conveyer, the fan and the distributing arms simultaneously.

7. In a device of the class described, in combination, a containing receptacle for grain, the bottom portion thereof provided with an opening and suitably formed to de fleet grain to said opening by gravity, said receptacle being suitably mounted for transportation, a conveyer tube adapted to receive the discharge of grain from the receptacle, an auger in said conveyer tube, the spiral disk disposed upon the shaft to gradually increase the carrying space between its adjacent walls from the receiving end of the convey-er tube to the outer end thereof, a hopper adapted to receive the discharge of grain from the conveyer provided with a discharge opening therein, rotatable distributing arms within the hopper, a fan disposed below the hopper, and suitable means for driving the conveyer, the dis tributing arms and the fan simultaneously.

8. In a device of the class described, in combination, a transportable containing receptacle for grain, the bottom portion thereof provided with an opening, and suitably formed to deflect grain to said opening by gravity, a conveyer tube adapted to receive the discharge of grain from the receptacle and extending substantially to the rear end thereof, an anger in said conveyer tube, the spiral disk disposed upon the auger shaft to gradually increase the carrying space between its adjacent walls from the receiving end of the conveyer housing to the outer end thereof, an adjustable hopper adapted to receive the discharge of grain from the conveyer provided with a discharge opening therein, means for horizontally turning the hopper, rotatable distributing arms within the hopper, a fan'disposed below the hopper and means for driving the conveyer, the fan and the distributing arms simultaneously.

9. In a device of the class described, in combination, a transportable containing receptacle for grain provided with an opening in the bot-tom portion thereof, the latter formed with walls inclined to said opening, a conveyer tube communicating with the opening from the receptacle and extending approximately to the rear end of the latter, a valve for controlling the flow from the receptacle into the conveyer tube, an

auger in said conveyer tube, a spiral disk disposed upon the auger shaft thereof to gradually increase the carrying space between adjacent Walls from the receiving end of the conveyer tubeto the outer end thereof, a horizontally adjustable hopper provided with a discharge opening therein, means for turning the hopper to change the position of the outer end of the conveyer tube and the discharge opening of the hopper relatively, rotatable distributing arms within the hopper, a fan disposed below the hopper and suitable means for driving the conveyer, the fan and the distributing arms simultaneously,

10. In a device of the class described, in combination, a transportable containing receptacle for grain provided with a discharge opening in the"bottom thereof inclined to said opening, a conveyer tube communicating with said opening and extending approximately to the rear of the receptacle, a slide valve for controlling the flow of grain into the conveyer tube, means under the control of the operator for shifting the valve, an auger shaft in the conveyer tube, a spiral disk thereon disposed to gradually increase the carrying space between adjacent walls from the receiving end of the conveyer tube to the outer end there of, a horizontally adjustable hopper provided with a discharge opening therein adjacent the discharge end of the conveyer tube, means under the control of the operator for turning the hopper, to change the position of the discharge opening therein with relation to the discharge end of the conveyer tube, rotatable distributing arms within the hopper, a fan disposed below the hopper and means for driving the conveyer, the fan and the distributing arms simultaneously.

11. In a device of the class described, in combination, a transportable containing receptacle, the bottom portion thereof provided with an opening, a conveyor tube communicating with said opening and extending approximately to the rear of the receptacle, an auger in the conveyor tube, the shaft thereof extending beyond the end of said tube and provided with a fluted roller thereon, the grass seed hopper housing communicating with the grass seed hopper and provided with an outlet slot at its lower portion and adapted to embrace the fluted roller on the auger shaft, a hopper adapted to receive the discharge of grain from the conveyer tube and the grass seed hopper housing, rotatable distributing arms within the hopper, a fan, and means for driving the auger, the fan and the distributing arms simultaneously.

12. In a device of the class described, in combination, a transportable receptacle, the bottom portion thereof provided with an opening and formed to incline to said opening, a conveyor tube communicating with said opening in the bottom of the receptacle, an anger in the conveyer tube extending be yond the discharge end thereof provided with a spiral deflector disposed thereon to gradually increase the carrying space between adjacent walls from the receiving end of the conveyor tube to the outer end thereof and with a fluted roller upon its outer end, the grass seed hopper, a force feed housing communicating therewith and provided with a discharge opening in the lower portion thereof adapted to embrace the fluted roller on the auger shaft, a valve controlling the flow of grass seed into the force feed housing, a horizontally adjustable hopper adapted to receive the discharge of grain from the conveyer tube and the force feed housing provided with a discharge opening therein, means under the control of the operator for turning said hopper, rotatable distributing arms within the hopper, a fan disposed below the hopper and means for driving the auger shaft, the fan and the distributing arms simultaneously.

18. In a device of the class described, in combination with a grain conveyer and a fan, of a shiftable hopper interposed between the conveyer and the fan adapted to receive the discharge from the conveyor and to discharge within the field of movement of the fan, and horizontally shiftable relative to the conveyor.

14-. In a device of the class described, in combination with a conveyor and a rotatable fan, of a hopper therebetween adapted to receive the discharge of grain from the conveyer and to discharge the same within the field of movement of the fan and rotatable means within the hopper for scattering the body of g am as it flows from the conveyor and for stirring the same in the hopper.

15. In a device of the class described, in combination with grain feeding means, grass feeding means and a fan, of an adjustable hopper interposed therebetween, adapted to receive the discharge from the grain feeding and grass feeding means and to discharge the same within the field of movement of the fan.

16. In a device of the class described, in combination with grain feeding means and grass feeding means and a fan, of an adjustable hopper interposed between the grain feeding and grass feeding means, the hopper adapted to receive the discharge from the grain feeding and grass feeding means and to discharge the same within the field of movement of the fan, and a rotatable stirrer within the hopper.

17. In a device of the class described, in combination with grain feeding means and grass feeding means, and a fan, of a shiftable hopper interposed between the grain feeding and grass feeding means, the hopper adapted to receive the discharge from the grain feeding and grass feeding means aml to discharge the same within the field of movement of the fan.

18. In a device of the class described, in combination with grain feeding means and grass feeding means, and a fan, of a shiftable hopper interposed between the grain feeding and grass feeding means, the hopper adapted to receive the discharge from the grain feeding and grass feeding means and to discharge the same within the field of movement of the fan, and a rotatable stirrer within the hopper.

19. In a device of the class described, in combination, a transportable containing receptacle provided with an outlet opening in the bottom thereof, said bottom portion formed to incline to said outlet, an anger conveyer, the receiving end thereof communicating with said outlet opening, a distributing fan disposed to scatter the discharge flowing from the conveyer, a hopper interposed between the conveyor and the fan adapted to receive the discharge from the former and to discharge the same within the field of movement of the fan and a rotatable stirrer within the hopper.

20. In a device of the class described, in combination with a transportable containing receptacle provided with an outlet opening in the bottom portion thereof, of a graduated auger conveyer, the receiving end thereof communicating with said opening, means for cont-rolling the extent of discharge from the receptacle into the In testimony whereof I have aflixed my conveyer, a fan, ad hopper ingerpocsled besignature in presence of tWo Witnesses. tween the auger an the fan a apte to re- 7 r ceive the discharge of grain from the STA 01 HARD former and to discharge the same Within Witnesses:

the field of movement of the fan, and a ro- MARY E. CoMEGYs,

tatable stirrer Within the hopper. T. D. T'EFFT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

